[RJGBMW]

I remember as a kid having a big Crayola crayon box- with a color "Prussian Blue." BMW's color of Midnight Blue seemed so similar in my memory. So here is the story: in 1704 or 1705 a Berlin colormaker named Diesbach accidently created a blue that was much less expensive for artists that the blues they had at the time. It was stable and is considered the first "modern" color since it was created from chemicals, not natural products such as indigo (plant) or lapis blue (created by crushing expensive lapis stone). As for Crayola, they added a new color in 1949- the Prussian Blue I remembered as a kid. And in 1958 school teachers asked Crayola to change the name, since children couldn't relate to the old historic Prussian state. Drum roll please; Prussian Blue was renamed Midnight Blue!

[Billfitz]

Perhaps it would be more appropriately called Bavarian Blue? It's a fabulous color in any event.
My memory of the term Midnight Blue is the song by Lou Gramm (1987), formerly of Foreigner.

[Slalom]

Prussian blue is used to help treat radioactive caesium and thallium poisoning. Perhaps because of that connection it is not a popular name for car paint (although artists use it).

[KneeDragr]

It has too much green in it for my tastes.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

It has too much green in it for my tastes.

Don't go by the BMW website, it doesn't have any green in it. Nothing but deep rich blue.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Don't go by the BMW website, it doesn't have any green in it. Nothing but deep rich blue.

I saw it at the dealer, it looked blue in the showroom but I saw some green in direct sun light. Nothing like the BMW site, but once seen it cant be un-seen, lol.

My wife liked it, especially over the saddle interior. But thats a no-go also with sport seats.

Deep Sea blue is the one I like, but no offered in this car.

[RJGBMW]

I actually have a 335ix GT, midnight blue with saddle interior. It a wow combination, especially with the chrome trim of the luxury line and the 19" "W" style alloy wheels! Interesting to learn about your take on the color and the reason for the name change. I took the name change to be more related to the historic negative association of Prussia and certain past military "events." As to color shading, when in bright sunlight along certain body creases and cut lines, I see a bright blue color like "caribbean water," which does have elements of tropical green. Interesting that the whole car color does not pick up the "caribbean water" shade, just along the body lines turned so the sun reflects directly off it. I always liked uncommon color shades and colors I see as "European" and not a color that would ever be on "American" cars. I have my US license plates on partially over my European Delivery German plates and put a "D" sticker on the trunk. My wife is tolerant of my little idiosyncrasies!

[Billfitz]

It probably has different shaded metallic flakes in the paint, so depending on the angle of the light source and viewer relative to the panels different shades are reflected. It looks very different in full sunlight compared to overcast. Everyone who's seen mine has loved the color, it's really unique. My next door neighbor said "I really like your new car". My reply : "Not as much as I do!"

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by RJGBMW

I remember as a kid having a big Crayola crayon box- with a color "Prussian Blue." BMW's color of Midnight Blue seemed so similar in my memory. So here is the story: in 1704 or 1705 a Berlin colormaker named Diesbach accidently created a blue that was much less expensive for artists that the blues they had at the time. It was stable and is considered the first "modern" color since it was created from chemicals, not natural products such as indigo (plant) or lapis blue (created by crushing expensive lapis stone). As for Crayola, they added a new color in 1949- the Prussian Blue I remembered as a kid. And in 1958 school teachers asked Crayola to change the name, since children couldn't relate to the old historic Prussian state. Drum roll please; Prussian Blue was renamed Midnight Blue!

Nice story Ron, thanks for the info.
Whatever the history, I still think it is by far the best blue BMW have produced, and the best I've ever had.
I've had a 325 saloon in Steel Blue, an X5 in Toledo Blue and a 525 in Neptune Blue. So, yes I quite like blue cars, just so long as they have a light interior.
My present 328i Luxury GT is Midnight Blue with Venetian Beige interior.

This piccie is, I think, a good representation of the colour

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by allachie9

This piccie is, I think, a good representation of the colour

It's perfect, in the sun. In overcast weather the highlights don't pop, and it looks more like a conventional navy blue. You might want to consider something else for Seattle or London.

[DrivenByE30]

A lot of talking and not enough pics around here...

Would like to see more... anyone?1

[TS206]

Yes, me ! I found this thread after doing a search. I've ordered a 435d in Midnight blue metallic with an opal white interior. It's two months away and I'm desperate to see it !

[shoptb]

Originally Posted by RJGBMW

I remember as a kid having a big Crayola crayon box- with a color "Prussian Blue." BMW's color of Midnight Blue seemed so similar in my memory. So here is the story: in 1704 or 1705 a Berlin colormaker named Diesbach accidently created a blue that was much less expensive for artists that the blues they had at the time. It was stable and is considered the first "modern" color since it was created from chemicals, not natural products such as indigo (plant) or lapis blue (created by crushing expensive lapis stone). As for Crayola, they added a new color in 1949- the Prussian Blue I remembered as a kid. And in 1958 school teachers asked Crayola to change the name, since children couldn't relate to the old historic Prussian state. Drum roll please; Prussian Blue was renamed Midnight Blue!

This is great info....I love hearing the historical origins of things!

However, you can pretty much bet that BMW will never have the word "Prussian" in anything associated with their company. From a historical perspective, you can't have much larger differences in attitudes in Germany than between the Bavarians and the Prussians. An American equivalent would be Texas and New York.

Beyond that, "Prussia" recalls a time when greater Germany expanded east through Poland, across the Baltic Sea to Königsberg and beyond. For understandable reasons, German companies don't really want to remind people of those times....kind of like the reason that "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Deutschland Über Alles) now omits the first two stanzas of the song.

But the color is quite lovely....

[Carolinagirl]

Prussian Blue.

[Xgtowner]

I have a 2015 328xiGT in midnight blue- it is beautiful!

Fyi- it turns out not to be the right car for me- so I am looking for someone to take over my lease: 36 months/38k miles remaining at $465 month.

Email me if you are interested.